E/2012/27 E/CN.6/2012/16 Sweden, South Africa, Malaysia, Ethiopia, Swaziland, Jordan, Brazil, United States, Gambia, Mozambique, Canada, Nicaragua, Philippines and Sudan. 42. The observer for the European Union also made a statement. 43. The representatives of the following non-governmental organizations also participated in the dialogue: Mujer para la Mujer (also on behalf of Vida y Familia de Guadalajara and Misión Mujer), Network of Non-Governmental Organizations of Trinidad and Tobago for the Advancement of Women, Voices of African Mother and Public Services International (also on behalf of Education International and International Trade Union Confederation). Key policy initiatives and capacity-building for gender mainstreaming: the empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges: focus on the role of gender-responsive governance and institutions for the empowerment of rural women 44. At its 7th meeting, on 29 February, the Commission held an expert panel discussion on the priority theme “The empowerment of rural women and their role in poverty and hunger eradication, development and current challenges: focus on the role of gender-responsive governance and institutions for the empowerment of rural women”, moderated by the Vice-Chair, Filippo Cinti (Italy). 45. Presentations were made by Ms. Bintou Nimaga, Technical Adviser, Ministry of Women Affairs, Children and the Family, Mali; Mr. Andrés Teodoro Wehrle Rivarola, Vice-Minister, Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, Paraguay; Ms. Lilly Be’Soer, Founder, Voice for Change in Papua New Guinea; and Mr. Victor Lutenco, Adviser, Office of the Prime Minister, Republic of Moldova. 46. The Commission then held an interactive dialogue with the panellists, in which the representatives of the following delegations participated: Republic of Korea, Swaziland, Italy, Israel, Russian Federation, Philippines, Gambia, Democratic Republic of the Congo, United States and Japan. The observers for Jordan, South Africa, Pakistan, Finland, Togo, Nigeria, Canada, Switzerland, New Zealand and Brazil also participated 47. The observers for Palestine and the European Union also participated. 48. The representatives of the following non-governmental organizations also participated: Forum for Women and Development, Soroptomist International, Women’s Consortium of Nigeria; Japan Federation of Bar Associations, Tchad Agir pour l’environnement, Education International and Mujer para la Mujer. Progress in the implementation of the agreed conclusions of the fifty-second session of the Commission: financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women: focus on national experiences 2 49. At its 8th meeting, on 1 March, the Commission held a panel discussion on the review theme “Financing for gender equality and the empowerment of women: focus on national experiences”, moderated by the Vice-Chair, Carlos Enrique García González (El Salvador). __________________ 2 12-27405 See the Moderator’s summary of the panel discussion (E/CN.6/2012/CRP.7), available from the website of the Commission. 33